TrackingPoint – Precision Guided Firearm

Taking the fun and difficulty out of shooting. WANT!:

I’d like to own that setup just for the pure novelty of it, even though I probably wouldn’t use it all that much. I have so many questions about this… Does it work on moving targets? Is wind somehow accounted for? How big is the entire system? Can it be programmed to say “HEAAAAAAD shot!” when the bullet impacts the target?

Not much info on this system out there yet, but here’s what we know:

50x zoom digital tracking optic and smart trigger

Integrated with .300 Winchester Magnum XM2010

Using 220 gr. Mk248 Mod 1 Ammunition

Streaming video from heads up display

This video leaked, so it might disappear soon if they didn’t want the world to see it. You can sign up for updates at the TrackingPoint website though and they will likely let you know when they come out with something they want you to see.

Seems similar to guidance systems used in guided anti-tank missiles. I can see a potential use for this on something like an anti-material rifle if it works on moving targets at VERY long ranges. Still not sure entirely how this system works, and it’s probably very electronically complex. Still interesting.

As far as I can see, all it does is let the shooter designate “tag” the target then automatically illuminate the reticle when it is -roughly- over the “tag”. Big deal. With the gear we have now we can all see the target, and the reticle, and regularly overlay one on the other before pressing the trigger and hitting the target. I think it’s generally known as “shooting”. Unless I’m missing something, I don’t see what this adds, except a bit of eye candy.

Wind is going to be a huge issue as it always is. 300m shots with a decent rifle is no big deal, it’s when you get out a ways that this may help. Key point, if I heard him right, is that once you designate the target, the rifle fires itself when the crosshairs go back to the tag. If the trigger is taken out of the equation, that may be a good thing.

They are based here in Austin, I will be shooting the system in the next week. The big unveil is supposed to be at Shot, not sure how this video leaked. The people at TP are all former MEUSOC and other various former SF. This system makes it possible for a 12 yo to hit a plate at 1000. Seen it done. The system actually controls the firing of the weapon, you pull the triggee and when your crosshairs are exactly over your tag, bang. Very very cool. And yes, it does take all the “sport” out of shooting, this is for long range sniping.

Or you could…you know…learn to shoot. Adopting technology like this will prompt the military to put it in the hands of less trained or skilled shooters. Putting them in the field will endanger both the shooter and the mission when the tech inevitably fails. There’s nothing there that a trained sharpshooter can’t do. Some jobs shouldn’t be made easier.